Beholding God's Glory: A Journey of Transformation

 

Summary

On this Transfiguration Sunday, we are reminded of the awe-inspiring glory of God and the profound mystery of His presence. As we reflect on the story from Luke 9:28-36, where Jesus is transfigured before Peter, John, and James, we are invited to consider the significance of witnessing God's glory and the freedom we have to behold it through Jesus Christ. The transfiguration is a pivotal moment that marks a shift in Jesus' ministry, as He prepares to journey towards Jerusalem and ultimately the cross. This event is not just a historical account but a spiritual invitation for us to experience God's glory in our lives today.

In the Old Testament, Moses' encounter with God on Mount Sinai left him with a radiant face, a reflection of God's glory that he had to veil. This veil symbolized the limitations of the Old Covenant, where the law brought awareness of sin but not the freedom from it. In contrast, the transfiguration of Jesus reveals the fullness of God's glory, accessible to us through the gospel. We no longer need to hide behind veils; instead, we are invited to look upon God's face and reflect His glory in our lives.

Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 3 remind us that the ministry of the Spirit is even more glorious than the law. Through Christ, the veil is removed, and we are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory. This transformation is not just a personal experience but a communal one, as we are called to see the face of God in one another. The challenge for us during Lent is to remove the veils that hinder us from seeing God's glory in ourselves and others, whether they be veils of shame, self-doubt, or prejudice.

As we enter this season of Lent, let us embrace the freedom to look upon God's face and reflect His love and glory in our interactions with others. May we listen to Jesus, as God instructed the disciples, and allow His teachings to guide us in removing the veils that obscure our vision. In doing so, we become vessels of God's transformative power, shining His light in a world that desperately needs it.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Glory of God in Jesus: The transfiguration of Jesus reveals the fullness of God's glory, accessible to us through the gospel. Unlike Moses, who had to veil his face, we are invited to look upon God's face and reflect His glory in our lives. This freedom is a profound gift that transforms us into His image. [32:32]

2. Removing the Veils: The veils that obscure our vision of God's glory can take many forms, such as shame, self-doubt, or prejudice. During Lent, we are challenged to work with God to remove these veils, allowing us to see His glory in ourselves and others. This process requires introspection and a willingness to confront our own barriers. [38:00]

3. The Ministry of the Spirit: Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 3 highlight the surpassing glory of the ministry of the Spirit compared to the law. Through Christ, the veil is removed, and we are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory. This transformation is both personal and communal, as we are called to reflect God's love in our interactions with others. [28:21]

4. Seeing God in Others: We are encouraged to see the face of God in the people around us, recognizing that each person is made in His image. This perspective challenges us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to remove any veils that prevent us from seeing God's glory in them. [35:53]

5. Embracing the Journey of Lent: As we enter Lent, we are invited to embrace the journey of spiritual growth and transformation. By listening to Jesus and removing the veils that hinder our vision, we become vessels of God's light, shining His love and glory in a world that needs it. [41:11]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [22:15] - The Transfiguration Story
- [25:01] - Moses and the Veil
- [28:21] - Mystical Appearances of Moses and Elijah
- [32:32] - Paul's Theology of Glory
- [35:53] - The Importance of Transfiguration
- [38:00] - Removing Our Veils
- [41:11] - Communion and Reflection
- [55:57] - Invitation to Discipleship
- [58:00] - Benediction and Call to Action

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:28-36
- Exodus 33:11-23
- 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

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Observation Questions:

1. In the story of the Transfiguration in Luke 9:28-36, what changes occur in Jesus' appearance, and who appears with Him? How do the disciples react to this event? [22:15]

2. According to Exodus 33:11-23, what was Moses' experience when he encountered God's glory, and how did it differ from the disciples' experience with Jesus during the Transfiguration? [25:01]

3. In 2 Corinthians 3:7-18, Paul contrasts the glory of the Old Covenant with the New Covenant. What does he say about the veil and its significance? [32:32]

4. How does the sermon describe the transformation that occurs when the veil is removed, according to Paul's words in 2 Corinthians? [32:32]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What is the significance of the Transfiguration event in the context of Jesus' ministry, and how does it mark a shift towards His journey to the cross? [28:21]

2. How does the sermon explain the difference between the glory experienced by Moses and the glory revealed through Jesus? What does this mean for believers today? [32:32]

3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that veils, such as shame or self-doubt, can obscure our vision of God's glory in ourselves and others? [38:00]

4. How does the sermon challenge us to see the face of God in others, and what implications does this have for our interactions with those around us? [35:53]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God's glory. What "veils" might have been obscuring your vision, and how can you work with God to remove them during this season of Lent? [38:00]

2. The sermon encourages us to embrace the freedom to look upon God's face. How can you incorporate this freedom into your daily prayer life, and what changes might you expect to see as a result? [35:53]

3. Consider the people in your life who challenge you. How can you intentionally seek to see the face of God in them, and what practical steps can you take to love them as yourself? [35:53]

4. The sermon highlights the communal aspect of transformation. How can your small group support each other in reflecting God's glory and removing veils that hinder spiritual growth? [32:32]

5. As you enter Lent, what specific spiritual practices can you adopt to deepen your relationship with God and reflect His love and glory in your interactions with others? [41:11]

6. The sermon mentions the importance of listening to Jesus' teachings. What specific teachings of Jesus resonate with you, and how can you apply them to remove veils in your life? [38:00]

7. Identify one area in your life where you feel called to shine God's light. What steps can you take this week to be a vessel of God's transformative power in that area? [41:11]

Devotional

Day 1: The Unveiled Glory of God in Christ
The transfiguration of Jesus is a profound revelation of God's glory, made accessible to us through the gospel. Unlike Moses, who had to veil his face after encountering God, we are invited to behold God's glory directly through Jesus Christ. This event signifies a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, marking His journey towards the cross and the fulfillment of His mission. The transfiguration is not merely a historical event but a spiritual invitation for us to experience and reflect God's glory in our lives today. As we embrace this freedom, we are transformed into His image, becoming vessels of His love and light. [32:32]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you intentionally reflect God's glory in your daily interactions this week?


Day 2: Removing the Veils of Obscurity
The veils that obscure our vision of God's glory can manifest as shame, self-doubt, or prejudice. During Lent, we are challenged to work with God to remove these veils, allowing us to see His glory in ourselves and others. This process requires introspection and a willingness to confront our own barriers. By removing these veils, we open ourselves to a deeper understanding of God's love and a clearer vision of His presence in our lives. This journey of unveiling is both personal and communal, inviting us to see the divine in each other. [38:00]

"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (James 1:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a "veil" in your life that hinders your spiritual vision. How can you begin to remove it with God's help today?


Day 3: The Surpassing Glory of the Spirit
Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 3 highlight the surpassing glory of the ministry of the Spirit compared to the law. Through Christ, the veil is removed, and we are transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory. This transformation is both personal and communal, as we are called to reflect God's love in our interactions with others. The ministry of the Spirit empowers us to live out our faith with authenticity and grace, inviting others to experience the transformative power of God's love. [28:21]

"But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:16-17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you allow the Spirit to guide you in transforming a specific area of your life this week?


Day 4: Recognizing God's Image in Others
We are encouraged to see the face of God in the people around us, recognizing that each person is made in His image. This perspective challenges us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to remove any veils that prevent us from seeing God's glory in them. By acknowledging the divine in others, we foster a community of love and acceptance, reflecting God's kingdom on earth. This call to see God in others is a daily practice that requires intentionality and grace. [35:53]

"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator." (Colossians 3:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone you struggle to see God's image in. How can you begin to change your perspective and actions towards them today?


Day 5: Embracing the Lenten Journey
As we enter Lent, we are invited to embrace the journey of spiritual growth and transformation. By listening to Jesus and removing the veils that hinder our vision, we become vessels of God's light, shining His love and glory in a world that needs it. Lent is a time of reflection and renewal, where we are called to deepen our relationship with God and align our lives with His purposes. This season offers an opportunity to recommit to our faith and to live out the gospel with intentionality and joy. [41:11]

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13, ESV)

Reflection: What specific steps can you take during Lent to deepen your spiritual journey and reflect God's love more fully in your life?

Quotes

"God on this transfiguration Sunday we're reminded how awesome and glorious you are god there are so many times where we try to reason with you or use our logic to understand you but the story that we learn about today defies all logic and explanation and how wonderful it is to have that glorious god on our team that we get to be on his team so that when we have these circumstances where we need healing where we need refreshment where we need boldness where we need energy god we know that it's that god that comes in to save the day for us." [00:15:44]

"About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John, and James with him and went up into a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem." [00:21:27]

"While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. A voice came from the cloud saying, This is my son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him. When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at the time what had been seen." [00:22:17]

"In Exodus chapter 33, we learn that Moses led the people out of Egypt and through the wilderness. He would meet with God as he met with each other, like we would meet with each other. He met with God face to face. In chapter 33, verse 11, it tells us they met like two people talking to each other face to face." [00:23:09]

"God's glory was too much for Moses to see face to face. Moses didn't have the freedom to look upon God. So Moses comes back from that mountain after turning his back from God. And he has this glow on his face. And it's, like I said in that prayer, just mystical, almost magical. We can't imagine something like this, but we can tell it's real serious." [00:24:50]

"Sometimes we get a little bit confused about the nature of God, this God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. And we see that God expresses himself differently in different times in the Bible. And this is one of those scenarios. In this encounter, God appears differently." [00:26:48]

"So as Jesus is praying up on this mountain, he is completely transformed. His face looks different. His clothes flash white like lightning. Then, as if this is not mystical enough for these disciples who, if, like Miss Lily said, if we were to place ourselves with the disciples, we would be bewildered." [00:27:27]

"Now for some reason, the disciples get sleepy, but they stay awake and they're able to see God's glory unfold before them. They have the freedom to look. It's difficult for them, but they do have the freedom to look. So Peter, always the guy that's going to say the thing that's on his mind, right? He wants to stay in this splendor and he wants to set up some spots for Elijah, John, Peter, Jesus, Moses, and they're going to camp out forever, just in Peter fashion." [00:29:38]

"So Paul underscores this transfiguration, how important it is in 2 Corinthians chapter 3. So I'm going to read some of that to you too. He says this, Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters and on stone, came with glory, that's the Ten Commandments, the law engraved on stone, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?" [00:30:36]

"And if what was transitory came in glory, how much greater is the glory that which lasts? Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull. For to this day, the same veil remains when the Old Covenant is read. It is not to be removed because only in Christ is it taken away." [00:31:25]

"There are other differences differences between Moses's experience and the disciples here and ours. The glory of God on Moses faded. Remember, eventually he gets to take his veil off. The result of God's glory being shown to Moses in receiving the law, the Ten Commandments. In 2 Corinthians, the scripture that had lots of glory in it, we learned that the law convicted people of sin, but the gospel tells us that we are free. We need both." [00:33:34]

"Because God loved us so much, he made each one of us in his own image. You learned that in Genesis. If we can't see the face of God in someone, maybe we have veiled our own faces and cannot see God clearly in our neighbor. A veil is worse than a mask. You wear a mask and a mask keeps others from seeing you. A veil keeps both ways. You can't see others and they can't see you." [00:36:59]

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Transcript
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